On July 8, 2011 His Excellency Professor Dlawer A. Ala’Aldeen, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, participated in the 14th annual graduation ceremony of the University of Duhok. The ceremony was attended by various government officials including: Dr. Ali Sindi, the Minister of Planning; Rasheed Tahir, Undersecretary to the Ministry of Finance; the Presidents of the Universities of Salahaddin, Duhok, Halabja, Raparin and Zakho were also in attendance. The families of the students graduating were also in attendance.
During the ceremony, Prof. Ala’Aldeen greeted the President of the KRG, the Prime Minister and the graduates before delivering the congratulatory message. His Excellency also praised the great role of the student’s families in the success of the graduates as well as the excellent university staff that served the students so well.
His Excellency pointed out that the University of Duhok is considered one of the most developed and advanced universities in Iraq, especially when it comes to the reform processes instituted within higher education institutions. Professor Ala’Aldeen stated that “this is made all of us feel very proud.” His Excellency also referred to the advancement of the teaching programs throughout the universities and technical boards, especially in the teaching methods used in the teaching of the Arabic and English languages.
Professor Ala’Aldeen referred to the ongoing pilot program in place at the Ministry of Higher Education (MHE) for the Human Capacity Development scholarship program and said that “with the full support of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), so far we have sent 2,000 students from all higher education sectors in the Region to pursue postgraduate degrees abroad.”
At the end of the graduation ceremony, with the Minister of Planning, His Excellency distributed gifts from the MHE to the top students of the various universities. His Excellency also attended the first graduation ceremony at the University of Zakho on July 9, 2011.
The theme of the ceremony was “with knowledge and science, development will continue”. The President of the University, Dr. Lazgin Abdi Jameel, addressed the audience about key issues and projects of the university. Afterward, His Excellency Professor Ala’Aldeen greeted the President of the Kurdistan Region, the Prime Minister, the graduates and staff of the University of Zakho. His Excellency warmly congratulated the graduates for their great achievements.
Professor Ala’Aldeen assured all in attendance that it was the top priority of the KRG and the number one goal of the University and the MHE to serve the people and city of Zakho. The MHE has therefore allocated a budget for the University of Zakho for the building of a new campus.
Professor Ala’Aldeen further stated that the HCDP program will continue and His Excellency informed the audience that 50 of the 2,000 students who have been accepted into the HCDP program were from the University of Zakho. His Excellency added that approximately 1,000 new scholarship opportunities will commence in this fall.
At the end of the graduation ceremony, the Minister distributed gifts to the top students of the University.